Mix Your Way to Amsterdam in the Bols Cocktail Battle

The Bols Cocktail Battle offers more than a title. It’s the door to a global bartending experience.

For bartenders, opportunity doesn’t always come with a plane ticket. But in the case of the Bols Cocktail Battle, it does. At the center of this year’s competition is a prize that goes far beyond recognition: a fully immersive trip to Amsterdam, the birthplace of Bols and one of the most creatively charged cocktail cities in the world.

It’s called the “Cocktail Fever” experience and for those who earn it, it’s less about winning and more about stepping into something bigger.

Winners travel to Amsterdam to connect with bartenders from around the globe through a hands-on program rooted in the House of Bols and the Bols Cocktail Academy. The experience includes access to the Bols Distillery, time with the brand’s Master Distiller, and a series of workshops designed to push creative boundaries and deepen technical understanding.

“It’s hands-on, it’s collaborative, and it’s designed to inspire,” explains Ignacio Llaneza, Vice President of Marketing for the U.S. and Canada at Lucas Bols.

“Whether that’s through tasting, workshops, or simply being immersed in one of the world’s most creative cocktail cities.”

But what makes the trip meaningful isn’t just access—it’s perspective. Amsterdam is where Bols was founded in 1575, making it one of the oldest distilled spirits brands in the world. Yet the city itself continues to evolve, blending deep-rooted tradition with modern cocktail innovation.

“You see how tradition and innovation coexist,” notes Ignacio. “Which is exactly the balance bartenders are navigating today.”

Beyond the education, the experience is also about connection. Bartenders meet peers from across the industry, exchange ideas, and build relationships that extend well beyond the competition. What they take home isn’t just knowledge, it’s a shift in how they approach the craft.

“A deeper understanding of flavor—how to build balance, how liqueurs shape a cocktail, how small adjustments change the entire experience,” says Ignacio. “But beyond that, it’s perspective.”

And that’s what sets this competition apart. The Bols Cocktail Battle isn’t just about one drink or one moment. It’s about where that moment can take you next.

Want to earn your way to Amsterdam? Enter the Bols Cocktail Battle here. Deadline to enter is May 31, 2026